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PEF explores integrity of merit system
Civil Service shifts work to agencies
By DEBORAH A. MILES
The New York state Department of Civil Service (DCS) issued a Strategic Directions report in late 2004 that recommends how it can attract, develop and retain a competent workforce through the merit system.
But PEF leaders saw red flags in the report’s recommendations to give some state agencies more authority to reclassify their employees’ positions.
“Many employees already believe agencies manipulate the merit system,” said PEF President Roger Benson. “We believe the objectivity and integrity of the civil service merit system needs to be protected. That responsibility lies with the Department of Civil Service.”
In July, PEF met with Daniel Wall, president of the state Civil Service Commission, Nicholas Vagianelis, director of classification and compensation, and Terry Jordan, director of staffing services, to discuss the union’s concerns.
“We had some trepidation about the amount of control and oversight Civil Service will retain if it delegates many of its statutory obligations to the agencies,” said Thomas Cetrino, PEF’s director of civil service enforcement. “We were assured strict audit and oversight controls will be in place for any decentralization of exam and classification responsibilities to state agencies.”
Civil Service will decentralize classification actions for titles where classification standards currently exist. Agencies will only reclassify employees’ positions to more appropriate titles if those individuals are on the eligible list for those titles. And agencies without experienced human resources staff will not shoulder these new responsibilities.
Benson said PEF would continue to keep tabs on any mechanisms that may influence the integrity of the merit system.
PEF’s civil service enforcement staff have asked to be included in any training offered to state agency human resources personnel, so they can respond to members’ questions.
Cetrino also said Civil Service is redesigning its Web site to provide easier access and more comprehensive information.
“The plan is viewed as a mixed bag,” said William Wurster, chair of the PEF Region 8 Civil Service Committee. “Having electronic access to Civil Service information is good for PEF members and we are in favor of this, especially promotional lists. The recommendation to have some agencies reclassify positions is way too misunderstood at this point. We will have to wait and see if the devil is, indeed, in the details.”
Wurster said a polling of PEF members from several of Albany’s agencies show some are eager to get their autonomy from DCS, while others want no part of the new recommendations.
“One thing must be clear, no matter what authority the Department of Civil Service relegates to state agencies — such as testing or classifications — the responsibility for consistent enforcement of the civil service fitness and merit system lies within the Department of Civil Service,” Wurster said.
If you have questions concerning promotions or title changes within your agency, contact your PEF council leader, Executive Board representative or field representative.
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